Driving from London to Essex today. Safe?!

[Towel6767]

Supposed to be going to Essex in about an hour. Am a bit scared about driving in Storm Eunice.

Is it a bad idea?!?!

I’m not a nervous driver, but I am a bit nervous about this after watching the news!

@Notanotherwindow

Well they can't be blown off the tracks can they?

They're like, bullet shaped, doesn't that make them pretty windproof?

Seriously?

You've heard of derailments? They're not glued to the tracks.

Gusts of wind 80mph upwards. If that's a side gust, how does it help to have a streamline engine for travelling forwards?

All trains in Wales being cancelled today. Widespread cancellations elsewhere.

National Rail has imposed blanket 50mph speed restrictions for safety reasons on the trains still running.

Trees and other debris falling on the tracks - which can cause derailment - onto trains, onto overhead cables.

Bridges being damaged.

Overhead cables being blown over / apart.

Being hit by debris yourself on the way to/from the train.

Instructions not to be outdoors or travelling unless necessary.

But sure, just get the train instead.

@Notanotherwindow

Didn't think of trees tbf but I'd think someone has and if they are running, it can't be considered that much of a risk.

It’s my mother’s 80th birthday party - while non essential, is a big deal because we have hardly seen her because of covid. There will be a lot of tears and I feel very guilty!

Are trains even running?! I’m not keen on the idea of getting on one if they are.

Oh god I shouldn’t go, should I?! I just feel so guilty and sad about missing it.

@GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat

Sometimes I watch the news and wonder why they give such obvious advise.

Now I know...

Yep.

I've just cancelled driving down the M11 from Cambridge to meet friends for lunch, very glad that i've done so given what @notanotherwindow has reported,

They're like, bullet shaped, doesn't that make them pretty windproof?

They aren't bullet shaped all over and wind also blows from the side, where the train is large and flat.

OP I wouldn't go. Side winds on motorways and other large open rods are scary and thanks leaving out the danger of blown debris.

Thanks = that's.

@Aroundtheworldin80moves

The QE2 bridge is shut as an example of roads in that region...

To be fair the QE2 closes if someone so much as farts near it. But I get the point you're making

Sorry, that should be @Notanotherwindow.

There'll be more tears if you get seriously hurt trying to get there.

It's not your fault, it couldn't have been foreseen, but I agree it is sad and disappointing.

I know it won't be the same, but maybe you could use part of today to come up with a bit of a plan for when you do go so it can be like a mini party or really special? You could take her out for a birthday lunch with your family group and celebrate together.

Rather than next time just being a normal trip with added apologies?

I think I would set up face time, zoom or something. Join in the celebrations remotely. The emergency services will be stretched today so it's a big risk on all fronts.

Yeah didn't really think of that. Maybe no trains either then. But definitely wouldn't drive it. M11 is worse than it looks @SiobhanSharpe

I was bricking it the whole way. It really didn't look bad, trees weren't swaying that much and the built up areas weren't bad but it's just these random strong gusts on the motorway.

My hands are hurting still from gripping the car so tightly trying to control it. Was like something just shoving you and making you swerve.

I'm in the West Country at the moment. The winds are ferocious and heading your way. We were due to head home today but have cancelled that idea and staying put.
Don't go out.

@Notanotherwindow

Perhaps a train might be a good compromise? I definitely wouldn't drive atm.

We didn’t go! Lots of guilt trips and a dull day ahead, but I was just too scared to drive!

You made the right call. Please don't feel guilty.

The Queen celebrates her birthday on a different day, so I'm sure an 80th birthday can be celebrated on a different one as well.

@Notanotherwindow

Well they can't be blown off the tracks can they?

They're like, bullet shaped, doesn't that make them pretty windproof?

Is that true? Trees can fall on to the tracks tough.

Oh Christ this is awful! www.hamhigh.co.uk/news/storm-eunice-woman-death-highgate-8702140

Local to me as well. So glad I didn’t drive anywhere today.

Poor woman.

That is exactly why they gave that advice this morning.A red warning in the UK is incredibly rare and yet people like op were honestly asking wether to travel or not.

I’m sorry op but I’m gobsmacked you had to ask. Glad you didn’t travel though in the end.

I do that drive a lot and they shut the A10 today making that route impossible, the M11 would have been taking the brunt of that and it’s risky on that strip of m25 even when it’s not a storm. A406 hahahahahhaha never. Unless you had gone through chingford which is the forest, again dodgy.

You made the right call, none of these are safe routes at all.

I got a lot of flack from family for not going - which is what made me second guess.

I’m very glad I didn’t go though!

Family is still annoyed. Didn’t send me pictures etc (yet) and denied zoom as, apparently, my mother is sick of it

@Windbeneathmybingowings

I do that drive a lot and they shut the A10 today making that route impossible, the M11 would have been taking the brunt of that and it’s risky on that strip of m25 even when it’s not a storm. A406 hahahahahhaha never. Unless you had gone through chingford which is the forest, again dodgy.

You made the right call, none of these are safe routes at all.

Yes those were all my possible routes! Feel weirdly glad it would have been impossible / ridiculously dangerous as I was told “it’s just a bit of a breeze here” by family when I said I wasn’t coming because of the red warning.